COLORFUL
CONNECTION
INFUSING YOUR LANAI WITH COLOR AND
STYLE THIS SUMMER | BY CLAUDIA LEAH
PLAYING IT SAFE
with your outdoor space is so
last season. Now is the time
to add a little bit of the unexpected
14 | YOUR HOME MAGAZINE
to your lanai and
pool area. For many, neutral
tones are appealing, but for people looking for
a little pop, color is back—especially outside.
This area should feel like a relaxing resort in
your own backyard and some of the most iconic
and historic hotels can be found in West Palm
Beach and Miami. Why not bring a little bit of
that iconic Florida aesthetic to your home? Here
are a few tips to help you incorporate fun colors
and great outdoor items into your current lanai
space.
Treat your outside spaces like you would your
inside rooms. Rugs, lighting, furniture, accessories,
and art can all be used to create a comfortable
outdoor experience. Remember that quality is
important here in Southwest Florida, so as you
are purchasing your outdoor items pay attention
to what you’re actually getting. You don’t want
your colors to fade quickly or fight mildew by the
end of the summer; quality items will also make
clean up and maintenance easier. Choose pieces
with some character whether you are going with
wicker, metal, or rattan. Chairs with interesting
shapes, table legs with some flair, or chaise lounges
with carved or molded details make your lanai feel
more intentional and polished.
When adding color, blue isn’t the only option!
While it’s a wonderful color that dominates the
outdoor design world here, if you like orange or
red or green or any of the other fantastic color
choices, use those that excite you the most. If
selecting coordinating colors is a little daunting,
a professional can help. You deserve an outdoor
space based on your personality and tastes, not
just current design trends. When I chose to redo
my own family’s lanai, I decided to use blue as
the base tone and then accented with a good
amount of flamingo pink and white. The blue
I used has a brighter quality to it which, when
paired with pink, gives the lanai a retro vibe
that reminds me of the glamorous days when
West Palm Beach was filled with the socialites
who shaped the design we’ve come to associate
with Florida. Pro tip—simple things, like fun
pool toys with big personalities or decorative